Phytochemicals in cancer prevention: A review of the evidence

Abstract

Context: Cancer generally is considered as a neoplastic disease with particular causative and etiologic factors as well as protective elements. Although it has remained difficult to treat, it is preventable. Recently, the interest in dietary phytochemicals intake has considerably increased for potential cancer chemoprevention. Evidence Acquisition: This report reviews the role of phytochemical consumption in cancer prevention based on publications from PubMed, Science direct, Google Scholar, and Scopus from the year 1996 onward using cancer, chemoprevention, phytochemical keywords. Results: Regular intake of phytochemicals has been demonstrated to prevent cancer during its different stages including initiation, promotion and progression. Considering the animal models, the second step is the main stage for cancer chemoprevention. Conclusions: The phytochemicals involved in chemoprevention can be categorized in different groups naming phenolics, carotenoid, alkaloids, organosulfur compounds and nitrogen-containing compounds. They are able to stop, postpone and reverse carcinogenesis by different mechanisms.